Gluten Free Boston Cream (fill in the blank: pie, cake, cupcakes, donuts). Just hearing the name conjures up images of delectable yellow butter cake with custardy goodness tucked inside, smothered in a perfect chocolate glaze.
You know what I mean. Be it pie, cake, cupcakes or donuts, the magical combination of Boston Cream anything is an American favorite, especially now that it’s gluten free!
Although I’ve long appreciated this iconic dessert, I’d never made any incarnation of it gluten free. But as it happens in the summer, my daughter was home from camp one day and started cruising Pinterest looking for a cupcake recipe to bake (with some help).
I’m so glad this idea caught her eye!
It’s true that Boston Cream anything is eye-catching … and mouth watering! And I had never made a custard filling like this one before, so I was instantly excited by the challenge.
Turns out it wasn’t so challenging!
We had so much fun whipping up these light and fluffy sponge cakes in no time, and while they cooled we made custard and two different chocolate glazes (quality control, of course!).
The verdict was two thumbs up across the board from all our taste-testers and we can’t wait to make them again.
Filling these gluten free Boston Cream Cupcakes is actually easy, when you see my trick (check out the video).
And luckily, this recipe for gluten free Boston Cream Cupcakes makes enough custard and glaze to easily double the cupcakes, so you know you can make another batch when the first is devoured, or you can simply double my cupcake recipe the first time.
Oh and guess what? We’ve now made this iconic desert into CAKE!
I’m not quite sure what to call it: Boston Cream Pie CAKE? Or Boston Cream Cake? Or Yellow Sponge Cake with Boston Cream and Chocolate Ganache? (with EXTRA ganache, perhaps?!)
What do you think? Maybe just gluten free deliciousness? We even made it into my daughter’s birthday cake this year! So versatile!
I’ve now tried it a couple different ways and I think the best presentation is to bake the cake without the cream and add it either as a dollop on top of each slice or cut a hole in the slice and fill it with cream.
Either way, this gluten free Boston Cream Pie CAKE is a hit!
You can also use these custard and glaze recipes to make your own gluten free Boston Cream Donuts with my baked or fried gluten free doughnuts recipes or even doughut holes! See, there are so many delicious choices! Which will you choose first?
Gluten Free Boston Cream Cupcakes or Cake
The classic cream custard filling you know and love has found its home tucked into this delightful cupcake: Gluten Free Boston Cream Cupcakes with decadent chocolate glaze!
Ingredients
Cupcakes
- 1 ¼ cup (169gr) gfJules™ Gluten Free All Purpose Flour
- 2 tsp. baking powder
- ½ tsp. baking soda
- ¼ tsp. sea salt
- ¾ cup granulated cane sugar
- 6 Tbs. butter or non-dairy alternative (I use Earth Balance® Buttery Sticks) –slightly cooler than room temperature
- 2 tsp. pure vanilla extract or vanilla paste
- 6 Tbs. sour cream or non-dairy alternative (I use Vegan Gourmet®) or plain yogurt of choice
- 3 egg whites
- ½ cup milk of choice (I used almond milk)
Custard Filling
- 2 egg yolks
- 6 Tbs. granulated cane sugar
- 1 ½ Tbs. gfJules™ Gluten Free All Purpose Flour
- 1 cup + 2 Tbs. milk of choice (I used almond milk)
- 1 Tbs. butter or non-dairy alternative (I use Earth Balance® Buttery Sticks)
- 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
Chocolate Glaze
- 1 1/2 cups sifted powdered sugar
- 1 Tbs. coconut nectar or maple syrup
- 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 c + 2 Tbsp. cup cocoa powder
- 3-5 Tbs. water
Instructions
Making the cupcakes:
Bring all liquid ingredients including eggs to room temperature to help better incorporate them into the batter. For eggs, I place them (un-cracked) in a bowl of hot water while I gather my other ingredients.
Preheat oven to 350 F. Line cupcake pan with 12 liners.
Combine dry ingredients in a medium-sized bowl and whisk to combine; set aside.
Using the whisk attachment on a stand mixer or a hand mixer, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 2-3 minutes or longer, depending the power of your machine. Beat in sour cream and vanilla.
Separate egg whites and reserve 2 egg yolks for the cream filling; discard third yolk or use for another purpose. Add egg whites to the butter-sugar mixture, beating until incorporated.
Stir dry ingredients into mixture, alternating with milk and mixing just until smooth.
FOR CUPCAKES: Fill cupcake liners 2/3 full. Bake in preheated oven for approximately 16 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out with only dry crumbs.
FOR CAKE: lightly oil then flour with gfJules Flour one 6-cup bundt cake pan (OR double ingredients to fill a 12-cup bundt pan). Pour batter into pan and smooth top. Bake 6-cup bundt pan for approximately 40-45 minutes; 12-cup bundt pan for approximately 50-55 minutes. Test with cake tester or wooden skewer -- it should come out with dry crumbs when the cake is fully baked.
Remove to cool completely on wire rack. For cake, gently turn out of pan after 5 minutes to fully cool.
Preparing Cream Filling:
Meanwhile, prepare the cream filling by whisking the two egg yolks together in a small bowl.
Add sugar, gfJules Flour and milk to a saucepan and warm over medium-high heat while whisking constantly. As it warms, the flour will begin to smooth and integrate. The mixture will begin to thicken and bubble around the edges. Reduce heat to simmer for two more minutes then remove from heat.
Stir approximately ¼ cup of this mixture into the bowl with the egg yolks and whisk, then add all back into the saucepan. Bring mixture back to a boil while stirring constantly for two more minutes.
Remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla until smooth. Set aside to cool completely.
Preparing Chocolate Glaze:
Prepare the chocolate glaze by sifting measured confectioner’s sugar into a mixing bowl, then stirring in remaining ingredients, starting with only 3 tablespoons of water and adding more, only as needed, one tablespoon at a time.
If the glaze becomes too thin and watery, add more confectioner’s sugar, ¼ cup at a time. The glaze should drizzle easily off a spoon and be able to be spread smooth, but not be drippy.
Cover bowl with plastic wrap and set aside until ready to use.
Putting the Cupcakes Together:
Once the cupcakes and custard filling are cooled, it's time to fill them. You don't need any fancy tools -- just a knife and a spoon to use for the custard.
Cut a cone shape shape (like the diamond in a ring) out of the inside of each cupcake without going all the way to the bottom. Lift the inside of each cupcake out, exposing a pointed hole into each cupcake.
Fill ¾ of the hole with custard filling and cut the top off each diamond wedge of cake, replacing as a top to cover the filling.
Once all the cupcakes have been cut, filled and topped, spread chocolate glaze across the tops of each. If your glaze seems too drippy at this point or if it’s particularly hot in your kitchen, refrigerate the cupcakes to set the glaze.
Makes 12 cupcakes with extra filling and glaze left over which may be refrigerated and used again (for more cupcakes or donuts) within the next 3-5 days.
Nutrition Information
Yield 12 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 264Total Fat 9gSaturated Fat 5gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 3gCholesterol 54mgSodium 272mgCarbohydrates 41gFiber 0gSugar 39gProtein 3g
Please keep in mind that nutrition information provided is per serving, which may vary. While we have taken care to provide you with the most accurate nutritional values possible, please note that this information may differ significantly depending on the exact ingredients and brands that you choose to use to make this recipe. Additionally, where options are given for ingredients, the resulting calculation may include all ingredient options instead of only one per line, skewing the totals significantly.
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How do I convert this to a cake recipe? For ingredients and bake time/temp?
Hi Amy, because of the filling component of these cupcakes, I didn’t make these into a cake. If you’d like a yummy vanilla or yellow cake recipe, try my Best Gluten Free Cake recipe: https://gfjules.com/recipes/the-best-gluten-free-cake-recipe/ (or use the search bar and search through my many other cake recipes there!)
~jules
I’ve since added the instructions to make this into a cake!!!
Wanted to make these for a spring ladies retreat bake off but didn’t have sour cream. So I used your yellow cake recipe instead and they turned out awesomely delish! Thanks for the clever tip on how to fill them…worked like a charm. Once again, my hubby didn’t mind testing the goods and he raved about how they couldn’t be GF. Thanks for sharing your creativity & passion with us!
So happy you went for it, Michelle! And thanks for your kind words – I’m so happy to be in a position where I can share and hopefully help others’ lives to be easier and sweeter, living gluten free. Happy baking!
~jules
I want to make these for birthday party but I would like to make them a day ahead and then travel with them. Will they travel well frosting a day ahead of time?
If you can frost them when you get to your location, that’s the best way to ensure the frosting makes the trip. The cupcakes themselves will be fine to make a day ahead.
~jules
These were fantastic! The recipe was easy to understand and fun to make. Thank you Jules once again for an outstanding recipe.
I have some pictures.. I made them tonight for my son’s bday. Huge hit.
Hi Krista, I’m so happy to hear you loved this recipe!!! What a great choice for a bday!
We’ve just added a feature so people can share pictures! Next time definitely post your photos – I can’t wait to see them!!!!
~jules
It’s my birthday tomorrow, and I think I’m going to make these for myself!!
YUM!!
Happy Birthday to You!!!
~jules
I love that they are also dairy free, i really want to make these gluten-free Boston cream cupcakes, it is such a cherished childhood treat
YAY! I’m so glad this recipe will be a good one for you, Andrea! Enjoy!
~jules
WOW – talk about amazingly decadent, droolworthy cupcakes!! My dad loves boston cream pie so it’ll be fun to surprise him with them.
Oh I can’t wait to hear how he likes them, Jereann!
~jules
OMG, OMG, OMG!!! I love these! Boston cream donuts are my fav. I can’t wait to try them as a cupcake!
I’m so happy this will be a recipe you and your family will love, Amanda!!
~jules
I love Boston Cream Pie but this cupcake version is so fun!
It is a fun twist, Sharon! Enjoy!
~jules
I never know if I just should admire your gorgeous dessert recipes or really just dig in. I’m guessing both!
You are too kind, Kelly! Thank you!!
~jules
I’m drooling! That cake looks like it holds up perfectly to the filling! Not an easy feat for GF!
Aw, thanks Erin! It really does hold the filling well without collapsing, but the crumb is still moist and tender — a perfect combo!
~jules
These look perfect for parties. I think I will have to party every day!
LOL – sounds like fun, Lindsey! May I join you? 🙂
~jules
I loved Boston cream donuts before I was diagnosed with celiac disease. I can’t wait to try these!
I’m so excited to see what you think of the recipe, Amanda! You have my gfJules Flour, so you can make them anytime you crave some Boston cream!
~jules
Wow, these are so gorgeous. These look amazing!
Thank you, Kelly! They are super tasty, for sure!
~jules
Those look incredible and are so going on my recipe bucket list now!
YAY – so happy it’ll be one you try soon, Alisa!
~jules
Boston cream reminds me of my dad! He would always get them at the drive through and let me have the best bite 😀
What a special memory!! I hope you enjoy making this recipe and thinking of your dad, Kortney!
~jules
Can I make these a day in advance and store in the refridgerator? And if yes how far in advance would you recommend! Thank you!
Hi Ashley, I wouldn’t recommend ever storing baked goods in the fridge – it just dries them out. With my gfJules Flour, they stay fresh for several days so you shouldn’t have to worry about staleness like you do with typical gluten free recipes (bonus!). Otherwise, if you really want to bake them far ahead, I suggest freezing rather than refrigerating. Enjoy!
~jules
Thank you for creating the best gluten free flour ever! And for you recipes.
I see there is this recipe for Boston Creme Cup cakes, but I wish to make a 9″ Boston Creme Pie for Christmas, but use the whole egg to make a yellow cake for it, verses a white cake.
Could you please advise, since the liquid amount will be different using the whole egg.
Thank you.
Hi Sandi, I’m so glad you are loving my flour and recipes – that’s why I do it, but only hearing from people like you who are enjoying my products and recipes is what keeps me going! 🙂
As for the Boston Creme, if you want to make it yellow, I’d recommend using 1 full egg plus 1 egg white or you could do 1 full egg plus 1 egg yolk plus 1 Tbs. water. Let me know how it goes!
~jules
I would love the cupcakes, but I can not have, eggs, sour cream, baking powder, coco powder. So that are my troubles, and , and sugar. I have to alter everything.
But thank You wary much. I have Sam success but in this one , it is to much,
I like the recipes, I like to eat, but I need to fil good. Thank You Jules for listening, Antonia.
Hi Antonia, yes it sounds like this recipe isn’t for you, but I have plenty of others on my site that are or can be modified to fit your needs. Have a look around and I’ll bet you’ll find something fun!
~jules
can you make these with egg replacers? and if so what should I use instead of eggs?
Hi Amanda, I didn’t mention it because I hadn’t had a chance to try egg replacers in this recipe yet myself. I would steer you towards my Vegan Egg Substitutes article – look for the egg yolk replacers there and then choose one you’ve had success with for the cupcakes — something light since it’s just replacing the egg whites. If you try something before I get a chance to, please come back and leave a comment so others will know what worked best! Happy baking!
~jules